Karonga United dictate play but draw blank against Wizards: Malawi TNM Super League

Karonga United dictated play as they frustrated Wizards FC on Sunday in a 0-0 draw in the TNM Super League at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

Match action…Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Part of the action Karonga and Wizards…Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Dejected Wizards players after the final whistle…Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Both sides played a slow and boring game in the first 45 minutes, but changed the tempo of the encounter in the second half.

However, Karonga United was a better side, especially in the second half but their striking force was blunt comparing with their defence, which was a force to reckon with.

Wizards, which is known with their carpet football, was completely a changed side as they could not pass two to three passes before misplacing them.

They also looked confused, as their midfield which outplayed by the visitors, who in the first half resorted into aerial balls.

The only notable shot from Wizards was in the 35th minute, when Karonga United keeper Chimwemwe Kasambara had to be sharp to keep out Benard Chimayimba’s free-kick and Isaac’s follow-up.

The visitors relied on numerous saves from Chimwemwe Kasambara to preserve a point.

The failure to win could prove costly for Wizards , who had a home ground advantage and comparing with the fact that on paper they were favourites.

Even Wizards coach Peter Mponda looked frustrated as he did not move from the touchline doing some pep talks to his boys, who most of them lack experience.

On the part of Karonga United, it was also a frustrating outcome, as this was their third draw in that sequence though, and with a more cut-throat mentality in the final third – or fewer moments of brilliance from Chimwemwe Kasambara – they would have secured a victory.

They drew 0-0 last week against Be Forward Wanderers, before playing a 1-1 draw on Saturday against Max Bullets.

Wizards wanted a penalty in the first half when their striker was trickled down in the forbidden area, but referee deemed the contact accidental.

Towards the end of the game, Wizards showed they may have the guile to survive the drop, with their keeper producing a double save from Karonga strikers , one of the crocodiles midfielders went agonisingly close with a lobbed effort that dropped the wrong side of the post.

In the 80th minute, Wizards whose performance was sluggish from start to finish had an opportunity, when Benard Chimayimba snaked through two defenders only to shoot wide.